Chef's Knives To Go: The Online Shop That Serious Knife Collectors Actually Use

If you're looking for hard-to-find Japanese knives, Chef's Knives to Go (CKTG) is one of the best specialty online retailers in the US. It's not a big-box store, and that's exactly the point. The site focuses almost entirely on Japanese cutlery, selling brands like Konosuke, Shun, MAC, Tojiro, and dozens of smaller artisan makers you won't find at Williams Sonoma.

This guide covers what makes CKTG different from mainstream knife retailers, which brands they carry, how their pricing compares, and what to expect if you're shopping there for the first time. I'll also touch on a few things I'd watch out for before hitting the checkout button.

What Is Chef's Knives to Go?

Chef's Knives to Go is a specialty knife retailer founded by Mark Richmond in 2007. It's based in the US and ships domestically and internationally. The business model is simple: stock a curated selection of quality Japanese knives, keep overhead low, and serve buyers who know what they're looking for.

Unlike Amazon or general kitchen stores, CKTG doesn't carry every brand under the sun. The inventory is intentional. You'll find knives organized by type (gyuto, santoku, nakiri, sujihiki, petty, yanagiba, deba), by steel type (VG-10, Blue #2, White #2, SG2, R2), and by price tier. That structure makes it genuinely useful once you understand what you're looking for.

How the Site Compares to Amazon and Big-Box Stores

Amazon carries plenty of Japanese knives, but the listings are often incomplete, descriptions are vague, and it's hard to tell a mass-produced knife from a hand-forged one. At CKTG, every product page has detailed notes on the steel, hardness (usually listed in HRC), handle material, blade geometry, and the intended use case. That level of detail matters when you're spending $150+ on a single knife.

Williams Sonoma and Sur La Table stock some Japanese knives, mostly Shun and Global, but their selection stops there. CKTG carries over 50 makers. If you want a Konosuke HD2 gyuto or a Hado Kumo with a custom handle, CKTG is one of the few places to get it.

What Brands Does Chef's Knives to Go Carry?

The brand list at CKTG runs from accessible everyday knives to high-end custom pieces. Here's how the tiers break down:

Entry-Level to Mid-Range ($30-$150)

Tojiro: Japanese-made knives in VG-10, often the first real Japanese knife people buy. The Tojiro DP gyuto starts around $80 and punches well above its price.
MAC: Very popular with culinary students and line cooks. The MAC Professional series uses a proprietary steel that takes a fine edge and holds it.
Fujiwara: Simple workhorse knives, good for someone who wants a step up from department-store blades without a huge investment.

Mid-Range ($150-$300)

Shun: American-friendly Japanese knives with VG-MAX and SG2 options. The Premier series has a hammered finish that reduces food sticking.
Global: Distinctive all-steel handle, lightweight, popular in professional kitchens in Europe and Australia.
Miyabi: Made in Seki, Japan, owned by Zwilling. Good quality at the price, though some enthusiasts consider it overpriced for what you get.

High-End and Artisan ($300+)

Konosuke: One of the more beloved brands among knife enthusiasts. Their HD2 and FM series are made from semi-stainless steel that sharpens beautifully and holds an edge longer than most VG-10 options.
Takeda: Hand-forged in AS steel by Shosui Takeda, a respected bladesmith. Each knife is slightly different because it's made by hand.
Hado: Custom handles, excellent fit and finish, typically in the $200-$400 range.

How Pricing Works at CKTG

CKTG prices are competitive but not always the lowest. The site doesn't try to win on price alone; it wins on selection and expertise.

That said, you'll often find CKTG sells brands like Tojiro and MAC at or below what you'd pay on Amazon after accounting for third-party sellers with questionable inventory. And for artisan brands like Konosuke or Takeda, CKTG is frequently the only authorized US dealer, so price comparisons are moot.

Shipping is a flat fee or free over a certain order threshold, and the packaging is solid. I've never heard of a knife arriving damaged from them. For expensive knives, that matters.

Bundles and Accessories

CKTG also sells whetstones, cutting boards, knife rolls, and blade guards. If you're buying a new knife and need a stone to sharpen it, picking both up together saves a shipping cost. Their whetstone selection is good, including reliable options from King, Naniwa, and Shapton.

Who Should Shop at Chef's Knives to Go?

CKTG is best for home cooks and professionals who already have some baseline knowledge of Japanese knives. If you've never bought a Japanese knife and just want something decent to chop vegetables, you'll do fine there, but you might feel overwhelmed by the options.

The site shines for people who know they want a gyuto in White #2 carbon steel with a wa handle, or who are upgrading from their first Japanese knife to something more refined. That buyer will appreciate the detailed descriptions and the range of choices.

If you're new to Japanese knives and want to start exploring, our guide to top kitchen knives covers the best options across different price points and styles, which can help you narrow things down before you land on CKTG's product pages.

What I'd Watch Out For

A few things worth knowing before you order:

Returns can be complicated. CKTG has a return policy, but knives that have been sharpened or used are generally non-returnable. If you buy a knife and don't like the handle geometry, you're likely keeping it. Read the description carefully before buying.

Stock fluctuates. Popular knives at CKTG sell out fast, especially limited runs from artisan makers. If you see something you want, don't wait weeks to decide. When Konosuke restocks a popular model, it can sell out in hours.

Carbon steel requires care. A significant portion of CKTG's inventory is high-carbon steel (White #2, Blue #2, AS), which will rust if you leave it wet. If you're not ready to dry and oil a knife after each use, stick to stainless or semi-stainless options like VG-10 or SG2.

CKTG vs. Other Specialty Retailers

The main competitors to CKTG for Japanese knives are Japanese Knife Imports (JKI), Korin, and Bernal Cutlery. Here's a quick comparison:

Japanese Knife Imports (JKI): Strong on artisan knives, very good customer service, based in Los Angeles. Slightly more boutique than CKTG.

Korin: Based in New York, carries high-end professional cutlery and a strong selection of Nenox, Togiharu, and traditional Japanese knives. More expensive overall.

Bernal Cutlery: San Francisco shop with a great selection of both Japanese and Western knives. More of a physical store that happens to have an online presence.

CKTG's advantage is breadth and volume. They have more SKUs than most competitors, and they've been doing this long enough that their customer reviews and product notes are genuinely useful.

FAQ

Does Chef's Knives to Go ship internationally? Yes, CKTG ships internationally. Shipping rates vary by destination, and you'll need to check the site for current pricing to your country. Some artisan brands have export restrictions, but most of the inventory ships worldwide.

Is Chef's Knives to Go an authorized dealer? For most of the brands it carries, yes. This matters for warranty purposes. Buying from an authorized dealer means the manufacturer will honor the warranty if something goes wrong.

What's a good starter knife to buy from CKTG? The Tojiro DP gyuto in 210mm is a classic first purchase from CKTG. It runs around $80, uses VG-10 steel, has a thin blade that's easy to sharpen, and gives you a real taste of what Japanese knives feel like compared to Western-style blades. For a broader look at options in different categories, our best kitchen knives guide covers the field well.

Do they sharpen knives? CKTG does not offer a sharpening service. However, they sell the whetstones and strops you need to sharpen your own knives, and the site has good educational content on how to do it properly.

The Bottom Line

Chef's Knives to Go is a genuinely excellent resource for anyone serious about Japanese cutlery. The inventory is curated, the product descriptions are informative, and the selection of artisan and semi-custom knives is hard to match anywhere else in the US market. If you know what you want, CKTG is often the fastest path to getting it. If you're still figuring that out, spend time on the site reading the category pages and reviews before adding anything to your cart.